Since 2005, Slate Street Cafe has been a cornerstone of Albuquerque’s dining scene, establishing itself as a beloved bistro just north of Lomas Boulevard. Opening its doors in July of that year, Slate Street Cafe quickly became a local favorite, transforming a previously quiet street into a vibrant culinary destination. Nestled in the legal district, this eatery exudes a sophisticated, yet welcoming “Soho cool” vibe. Its modern, high-ceilinged dining room, impressive wine bar, and spacious patio attract a trendy and diverse clientele, making it a refreshing and successful element in Albuquerque’s ongoing downtown revitalization.
Dining Area at Slate Street Cafe Albuquerque
The success of Slate Street Cafe is rooted in a strong culinary heritage, thanks to the expertise of founding chef Albert Bilotti (known for Al’s NYPD and Kanome) and owner Myra Ghattas, whose family also owns the iconic Duran’s Central Pharmacy. This pedigree is reflected in the menu, which can be described as eclectic, contemporary, and playfully innovative. It offers a delightful twist on classic American comfort food, featuring dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, chicken soup, mac and cheese, fish and chips, and even homemade cupcakes for dessert. For breakfast, their green eggs and ham, a unique omelet with green chile from Duran’s, is a must-try, proving that breakfast can be both classic and exciting.
Interior Dining Space of Slate Street Cafe
The ambiance of this 7,400 square foot “bistro with a Western accent” is distinctly contemporary, energized by a bright and inviting color palette. The restaurant’s expansive loft area functions as a wine bar, managed by Ghattas, a certified sommelier. Here, regular wine tasting events are hosted, adding to the cafe’s sophisticated appeal. The loft also provides a fantastic view overlooking the bustling dining room below. Even on a quiet Sunday, the cafe buzzes with energy and conversation, a testament to its enduring popularity.
Wine Bar and Dining Room View at Slate Street Cafe
Slate Street Cafe’s broad appeal is evident in its consistently long lines during lunch hours and its status as a prime weekend brunch destination. The menu is designed to be enticing, making it difficult to choose just one item from each course – starters, entrees, and desserts all beckon with unique flavors and creative combinations. While the menu has evolved over the years, reflecting seasonal changes and customer preferences, the core commitment to quality and innovation remains.
Awards and Recognitions Displayed at Slate Street Cafe
One standout example of their culinary excellence is the Slate Burger. This masterpiece, crafted with black Angus beef and served on a ciabatta bun, is so flavorful that it stands on its own, even for green chile aficionados. The burger features high-quality, locally sourced beef from The Western Way in Moriarty, perfectly seasoned and cooked to your preference. While green chile can be added, the burger’s intrinsic flavors are so well-balanced that it’s genuinely unnecessary. You have the option to customize your Slate Burger with a variety of fresh toppings, including cheese, bacon, green chile, and avocado, ensuring a personalized and delicious experience.
Slate Burger with Angus Beef and Ciabatta Bun
For a morning indulgence, the brunch-only sausage sliders are an exceptional choice. These sliders feature house-made green chile Cheddar biscuits as the base, topped with thick slices of green chile turkey sausage. The combination provides a flavorful kick to start your day. Adding to the experience is a chipotle gravy, which looks unassuming but delivers a delightful spicy punch. Unlike typical biscuits that can be crumbly, the green chile biscuits are sturdy enough to hold the moist and savory turkey sausage perfectly.
Sausage Sliders with Green Chile Cheddar Biscuits
Another breakfast highlight is Slate Street’s fried egg sandwich. Featuring a fried egg, white Cheddar, and applewood smoked bacon on toasted ciabatta, this sandwich redefines breakfast perfection. The applewood smoked bacon is a star in itself, thick, crispy, and boasting a sweet-savory flavor from a brown sugar and maple sugar glaze. It rivals the acclaimed honey-chile glazed bacon at Gold Street Caffe. However, the most celebrated sandwich at Slate Street Cafe might be the bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomato sandwich, recognized as one of Albuquerque’s top sandwiches by Albuquerque The Magazine in 2012.
Moving to more traditional New Mexican flavors, the huevos rancheros at Slate Street are a standout dish. Served with white Cheddar, hash browns, and Christmas-style chile atop white corn tortillas from Sabroso, an Albuquerque tortilleria, this dish is a local favorite done exceptionally well. The Sabroso tortillas bring a distinct corn flavor that enhances the dish, while the red and green chile from Duran’s adds authentic New Mexican heat. The green chile, in particular, is known for its fiery flavor with fruity undertones. Even the often-overlooked hash browns are elevated by the chile, making this huevos rancheros a truly memorable meal.
Huevos Rancheros with White Cheddar and Christmas Chile
For a lighter option, the Asian salad at Slate Street offers a refreshing and flavorful choice. Comprising romaine, spring mix, pea shoots, shredded carrots, Mandarin oranges, cashews, scallions, crispy rice noodles, and a citrus sesame vinaigrette, this salad is a delightful mix of textures and tastes. While the concept of an “Asian salad” can be debated in terms of cultural authenticity, Slate Street’s version focuses on fresh, crisp, and delicious ingredients, creating a satisfying and vibrant salad experience.
Asian Salad with Citrus Sesame Vinaigrette
Slate Street Cafe has also gained local fame for its gourmet cupcakes, possibly pioneering the gourmet cupcake trend in Albuquerque. Their cupcake selection includes favorites like chocolate with cream cheese frosting, coconut, blueberry with lemon icing, and a decadent Boston cream cupcake, drizzled with chocolate ganache and filled with vanilla custard. These cupcakes are so tempting that many diners might overlook the other desserts on the menu.
Gourmet Cupcakes including Chocolate and Boston Cream
Another must-try dessert is the apple delight. This warm and comforting dessert features sliced apples and walnuts in a caramel sauce, encased in puff pastry and topped with vanilla ice cream. The apples maintain a perfect al dente texture, while the walnuts provide a delightful savory-sweet contrast, all complemented by the premium vanilla ice cream.
Apple Delight Dessert with Caramel and Ice Cream
Slate Street Cafe is a true gem in Albuquerque, embodying the locavore movement by partnering with local farmers and producers. They source fresh, high-quality ingredients, from organic eggs for breakfast to heirloom tomatoes for dinner. The second-story wine loft further enhances the dining experience, offering exquisite wine pairings designed to complement the restaurant’s innovative menu. For anyone looking to experience the best of downtown Albuquerque dining, Slate Street Cafe is an essential destination.
Slate Street Cafe is located at 515 Slate, N.W., Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102. They can be contacted at (505) 243-2210. For more information, visit their Web Site or their Facebook Page.
BEST BETS (based on the original review): Fried Olives Stuffed With Garlic & Boursin Cheese; Bruschetta; Fried Chicken; Brown Bag Fish & Chips; Green Eggs & Ham; Sausage Sliders, Bread Pudding; Boston Cream Cupcake; Green Chile Mac & Cheese.
ARCHIVED MENU ITEMS (Items mentioned in the original review that were no longer on the menu as of December 2023, highlighting the menu’s evolution):
Pear and Stilton Salad with Walnuts
Fish Tacos with Tilapia and Mango Cream
Green Chile Mac n Cheese with Rotelli Pasta
